From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welcome
 

You are welcome. As a veteran, let me tell you that today isn’t the easiest day of the year for those of us who have been to war. We may have left the war, but in some ways it will never leave us. Don’t forget that when you meet a vet.

Don’t get me wrong, we aren’t looking for sympathy. We aren’t interested in hand wringing and second guessing about having been sent into harms way.

We didn’t join the military and face the bitter reality of war to be molly coddled. We didn’t join so we could be “heroes”.

We joined because we love this country. We joined because we believe in the principles of freedom and justice this country was founded on. We serve because someone must and we aren’t the kind to sit back and let someone else stand in the gap for us. However, we also aren’t the kind to resent that we are standing in that gap for others. We love Americans and we know that by our service others won’t have to serve and we are glad for it.

Someone somewhere first said that war is hell. There is truth in that. But we know that too often a greater hell exists where men and women refuse to stand up and fight tyranny. So we serve. Some of us find ourselves in war. Some of us never return from the war. For the rest, the war never leaves us.

We are happy to have done our part so that every American can live in freedom. All we ask is that you cherish the freedom that we purchased with blood and tears. That you understand that Freedom, real Freedom is the most costly thing there is on this planet.

Please remember that what ever your political persuasion, what ever you stand in defense of or what ever you stand in protest against, you have the right to do so because of some man or woman in the uniform of the United States of America.

You are welcome.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Ferd,

Thank you.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

A friend on FB wrote this:

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to an including my life.'

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Yup, as a veteran I agree with all that.
As a veteran at work today I am thinking a paid day off would have been a nice gesture....

ANyhow thanks vets and your welcome....

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

thanks ferd, always got your back brother, dt

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

:fireworks

My husband is a Viet Nam Vet (and off today - schoolteacher). I never pass up the chance to say thank you to all who have served or serving now. It was and is a sacrifice that we need to show appreciation for. THANK YOU!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

My grandfather and dad were Navy
My uncle a Green Beret

So, I have an appreciation for the veterans and especially the ones in my life!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Thank you, vets! :thumbsup

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Excellent post, Ferd - Thank you!

Thank you Veterans!!!! My husband - Air Force - Thank you! :thumbsup

And for all of you dog lovers! This made me cry!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysKAV...layer_embedded

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Attended a Veteran's Program at work just now. Display of colors, Prayer, then Veteran's from WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Iraq to speak and a beautiful closing Prayer.

It makes you feel so insignificant when you hear all they've indured.

Thanks again!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Most of the men in my life are Veterans. I admire and respect them greatly for their service, and continued support for our country. :heart :heart :heart

Thank you Veterans! I appreciate your service to our country! http://bestsmileys.com/usa1/19.gif

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Thanks Ferd.

My father was in the Army, medically discharged after being sent to Korea.

I also have a little friend over in Iraq right now. Jeff is obviously not working today... cause I have received at least 10 emails from him today. He is in love with my youngest daughter. He will be here Friday 11-27 for two weeks. I spend a lot of time emailing him encouraging words, studying the bible with him, and assuring him he will make it even though some emails from him are quite frightening.

God bless those serving and those who have already served this country. From the bottom of my heart... Thank you.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

My father served in Vietnam and overseas in other various capacities. I say a big thank you to him, Ferd, John, and every other veteran here and around the world. I pray today especially for the brave men and women (some children in my opinion) who serve today in hostile situations. I hope we never forget how precious each of them are and how none of them are simply a number or statistic.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

I second that in a big way

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

That is a great video. I am not ashamed to say that the one with the father returning home and surprising his son in class brought tears to my eyes (note I still didn't say I was crying) :)

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

YES YOU WERE!!!! :smack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kerMm0HG1mk

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

You people are mean posting those video's

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Ahhhhhhh!!!! That's so sweet!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

I'd be interested in hearing your input on the Pacifism thread.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

It made me think of Roscoe!!! :sad

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

I thought so.

Pets are so loving!

My former spouse came by the other day and Maggie went crazy.....she remembered him.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Oooh, how sweet of her - too bad she didn't bite him!! J/K!!!!!!

Roscoe used to act just like that when I came home or let him out of his dog run in the morning. I wish I could have another dog, but the pressure was too much!!! LOL!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

It made him feel good. Of course, he was the one that trained her when she was a pup (since he worked from home). Oh, and not to hijack the thread - - my former spouse is a veteran too.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

That's really awesome how a dog remembers!!!

My daughter and her husband have a grey pit bull. It's very beautiful. She loves when I come over because I play with her in the backyard. lol So, I still get to have a dog in my life. :thumbsup

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Well said, Ferd.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Thank you to all who serve. :thumbsup

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Enjoyed my time in the Navy..even got saved while I was in service.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Ditto!

Falla39

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

I am surpised some of my Roscoe quotes didnt make the AFF Quote thread.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

I just reviewed the thread. I'm going to post the "less" violent of them all - if you can imagine there were any "less" violent! :toofunny

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

[QUOTE=Pressing-On;832570]I just reviewed the thread. I'm going to post the "less" violent of them all - if you can imagine there were any "less" violent! :toofunny[/

LOL! you know me... I'm just trying to be a blessing!

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Oh my....this really made me CRY!!!

I would love to be able to do somethin glike this sometime!

> The Sack Lunches
>
> I put my carry-on in the luggage
> compartment and sat down in my
> assigned seat. It was going to be a
> long flight. 'I'm glad I have a
> good book to read. Perhaps I will get
> a short nap,' I thought.
>
> Just before take-off, a line of
> soldiers came down the aisle and
> filled all the vacant seats, totally
> surrounding me. I decided to
> start a conversation.
> 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
>
> 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two
> weeks for special training, and then
> we're being deployed to Afghanistan
>
> After flying for about an hour, an
> announcement was made that sack
> lunches were available for five
> dollars. It would be several hours
> before we reached the east, and I
> quickly decided a lunch would help
> pass the time..
>
> As I reached for my wallet, I
> overheard soldier ask his buddy if he
> planned to buy lunch.
> 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.
>
>
>
> Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base '
>
> His friend agreed.
>
> I looked around at the other
> soldiers. None were buying lunch. I
> walked to the back of the plane and
> handed the flight attendant a
> fifty dollar bill.
> 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers..' She grabbed my arms and
squeezed
> tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a
> soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
>
> Picking up ten sacks, she headed up
> the aisle to where the soldiers
> were seated. She stopped at my seat
> and asked, 'Which do you like
> best - beef or chicken?'
>
> 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why
> she asked. She turned and went to
> the front of plane, returning a
> minute later with a dinner plate from
> first class. 'This is your thanks.'
>
> After we finished eating, I went
> again to the back of the plane,
> heading for the rest room.
> A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it.
> Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.
>
> Soon after I returned to my seat, I
> saw the Flight Captain coming down
> the aisle, looking at the aisle
> numbers as he walked, I hoped he was
> not looking for me, but noticed he
> was looking at the numbers only on
> my side of the plane.
> When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said,
> 'I want to shake your hand.'
>
> Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I
> stood and took the Captain's hand..
> With a booming voice he said, 'I was
> a soldier and I was a military pilot..
> Once, someone bought me a lunch.
> It was an act of kindness I
> never forgot.' I was embarrassed
> when applause was heard from all of
> the passengers.
>
> Later I walked to the front of the
> plane so I could stretch my legs.
> A man who was seated about six rows
> in front of me reached out his
> hand, wanting to shake mine. He left
> another twenty-five dollars in my palm.
>
> When we landed I gathered my
> belongings and started to deplane.
> Waiting just inside the airplane door
> was a man who stopped me, put
> something in my shirt pocket, turned,
> and walked away without saying a
> word. Another twenty-five dollars!
>
> Upon entering the terminal, I saw the
> soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them
> and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to
> reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.
> God Bless You.'
>
> Ten young men left that flight
> feeling the love and respect of their
> fellow travelers. As I walked
> briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return.
> These soldiers were giving their all for our country.. I could only
> give them a couple of meals.
>
> It seemed so little....
>
> A veteran is someone who, at one
> point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United
> States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including My life.'
>
> That is Honor, and there are way too
> many people in this country who
> no longer understand it.'
>

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Ferd, I have not had a chance to read this thread before today and I only have time to read this one post for now.

Thank you for serving! I am guessing you served in the Viet Nam war. I know many that can not talk about their experiences. We that have never walked in your shoes can't really relate, but only pray that God will heal the minds and hearts of our soldiers that have experienced war.

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Good Lord Esther, how old do you think I am? Im 40. I was in Desert Storm...

John Atkinson was in World War 1 though....

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

lol :ursofunny:ursofunny:ursofunny

I forgot about the Desert Storm war. The only other war I could remember was the Viet Nam.

Ferd your maturity must be beyond 40, wouldn't think of you as old for nothing. :) :thumbsup

Re: From a Veteran on Veteran’s day, You are welco
 

Renda how touching!:sad